What's Old Is New Again....And Nothing Is Ever New

“I hope this is the first comic you’ve read in a while. I hope you found it on a shelf in a real bookstore somewhere, and took a chance. I hope a lot of people are picking up comic books for the first time.

You see, a lot of people think comic books are just for kids, like Saturday morning cartoons. And many of them are, though they’re usually better drawn and written. That’s great, but it’s hardly the whole story.

Maybe you’ve seen a story in your local newspaper or a spot on TV that told you about the new kinds of comics that are coming up, all kinds, many of which have the kind of intense character involvement and sophistication of plot that you’d expect from a novel. Maybe you’ve heard of Marvel’s Moonshadow or DC’s Watchmen. Comics are growing up, expanding the borders to include the kind of stories that people of any age might enjoy.

I hope you’ve enjoyed Wolverine. Chris and I had a lot of fun working on it. Just remember, if this is your first comic book in a while, that comics is a form of telling stories, as versatile and full of promise as any other.

Try another.”

- Frank Miller, 1987

Those ominous words are from the back of the Marvel Comics Presents Wolverine trade paperback, the character’s first solo mini series, by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller. I got this trade as a birthday present when I was in high school, and I thought it was due for a re-reading. It’s a story that showcases Claremont and Miller at the height of their talents as writer and artist. Not only does the book stand the test of time, but Miller’s words on the comic book industry are as truthful now as they were in 1987. 22 years later and some of us are still defending the artistic merits of comic books, while creators continue to push the boundaries of comics. The industry may have had its renaissance in the 1980’s, but the revolution of the art form hasn’t ended.

I couldn't of said it better, Frank. It’s still an exciting time to read comics.